Coldwater native takes on record-breaking trek across Canada for cancer

Ben Sweet is looking to raise money for cancer by cycling across Canada in record time.

Last fall, Ben Sweet didn’t just win the 24-hour North American Championship for Ultra Distance, he did it in record time.

Now, the Coldwater area native is looking to raise money for cancer by cycling across Canada.

Sweet says he can travel the 5,800 kilometers across the county in eleven days, that time would be almost three days faster than the existing record.

He hopes to raise 30,000 dollars for the Canadian Cancer Society in honor of his big trek. His inspiration is fueled by his hero Terry Fox.

Sweet says he’s trained hard for this journey that could take a big toll on his body.

‘The 16 to 18 hours I’m going to spend on the bike a day is going to be roughly 15,000 calories a day just to try and break even, and even that is probably not going to be enough in the long term, so yes it’s a massive challenge that I’ve really been looking forward to take on," says Sweet.

Sweet plans on leaving for the big bike ride in mid-July. He plans on starting in Vancouver and finishing up in Halifax.